In the first of a series of stand-up shows from his latest English tour, Ross Noble's packed audience in Brighton - where he has trouble recognising the gender of the Dome's ushers - not only includes two different dog lovers, but also a man who's keen to know why Ross was walking oddly in the Lanes earlier in the day. And yet there's a mysteriously empty seat.

Could its absent occupant have opted to stay at home watching television instead? Having explained how to rescue someone from the edge of a chaise longue, he can't stop himself telling a story even though it paints him in a bad light.

Programme 2 (York Grand Opera House):

Ross Noble finds York teeming with race-goers dressed to the nines, ponders on an unusual use for a shoehorn, the city's famous Minster and futuristic buses, and wonders why so many of its inhabitants wear ancient costume.

He also reveals that Arkwright from Open All Hours could have been a Hare Krishna devotee, gets nostalgic for his auntie's mutant biscuits, and even finds the time to set up an impromptu car pool scheme to get audience members home.

Programme 3 (Manchester Opera House):

Ross Noble discovers that Mancunian audiences are not the most punctual, despite the unconventional efforts of the Opera House's ushers.

He also uncovers the little-known facts that yawning can be a sign of terror and that Bob Carolgees - remember him, Tiswas fans? - owns a nearby candle shop, as well as proposing a new TV cop show, wondering what life would be like in the town of Dodgem, and investigating a new trend in motorway signs.

Programme 4 (Newcastle City Hall):

In the final programme of the series, Cramlington's own Ross Noble returns to nearby Newcastle, where he points out the dangers of accepting gifts from audience members, reveals a little-known connection between pigeons and the Goth youth cult, recommends a local guest house, pays homage to former children's TV favourite Superted, and comes up with an unusual use for New Zealand coins.